Abstract: This disclosure relates to a discrete fuel filter having a tubular filter cartridge in its own socket in a filter housing. The socket is mounted in fluid communication with the inlet of a fuel rail for an internal combustion engine. In another embodiment, a fuel pressure regulator is operatively connected to be in fluid communication with the output of the filter and the input of the fuel rail. In each application the unfiltered fuel flows through the filter media from the input of the filter housing to the outlet of the filter housing.

Abstract: A flow through pressure regulator as may be used in a fuel delivery system for a motor vehicle has a contained, but floating ball valve. The ball valve open and closes a central passageway through the diaphragm of the regulator. The diaphragm divides the interior of the regulator into 2 chambers, both of which has fuel. A retainer means supports the ball and allows both axial and radial movement and coupled with a small bias spring seating in a bore, the ball functions to automatically seat itself. The small bias spring does not interfere with the ball valve seating itself.

Abstract: An in-tank fuel pressure regulator having a through-passage member on the moveable wall for controlling the flow of fuel from the inlet to the outlet chambers of the regulator. The through-passage member has a central through-hole in which is positioned a valve seat that mates with a valve closure member that is in the inlet chamber. The valve closure member is a truncated sphere that is swivel mounted to maintain seal tight alignment with the valve seat.

Abstract: A flow-through type fuel pressure regulator having, for its valve element, a sphere laser-welded to the housing end wall of the fuel inlet chamber, and for its valve seat, a coined circular surface circumscribing a through-passage in an annular member at the center of a movable wall (diaphragm) that divides the fuel inlet chamber from the fuel outlet chamber and that is resiliently biased toward the fuel inlet chamber by a spring that is disposed in the fuel outlet chamber. The annular member includes a series of circumferentially spaced bars that form a cage for the sphere, allowing the sphere to guide the motion of the central region of the movable wall relative to the sphere substantially along the axis of the housing.

Abstract: The module contains a tubular filter cartridge within an enclosure and a fuel pressure regulator mounted on an end wall of the enclosure. The fuel pressure regulator is entirely self-contained allowing it to be a mass-produced part that can be used in various module configurations having differently shaped enclosures and differently shaped filter cartridges. In the illustrated embodiment, the pressure regulator separably mounts on the exterior of the end wall of the enclosure. A retention ring that has certain features is used to mount the pressure regulator with a tight fit on the enclosure end wall. The enclosure also has features for a tight fit in the socket of a fuel pump module into which the pressure regulator/filter module is inserted when used.

Abstract: A fuel pressure regulator valve for a fuel rail requires only a single conduit between the tank-mounted fuel pump and the fuel rail, thereby eliminating the need for a separate, and additional, return conduit for returning excess fuel to the tank. It does this by a spring-biased check valve in the inlet to the fuel chamber of the regulator. The check is biased to prevent flow from the pump into the fuel chamber of the regulator, but when the pressure in the rail drops below a certain level, a post on the diaphragm that separates the fuel chamber of the regulator from a control chamber of the regulator, unseats a spherical valve element in the check valve to allow pumped fuel to enter the fuel chamber of the regulator and pass into the fuel rail to the fuel injectors. When the pressure has built up beyond a certain pressure, the sphere again closes.

Abstract: The vacuum control port at the control chamber of a fuel pressure regulator is an injection molded plastic member that can be formed with an angle. A flange is provided as a seating surface for an annular seal ring. The member extends into a tube formed in the regulator control chamber and is secured thereto.

Abstract: The fuel pressure regulator has a new and unique means for integrating the filter screen and axially capturing one of two O-rings seals. A crimp and a shoulder on the outlet tube unite the outlet tube, the housing, and a washer that in one embodiment performs both the function of sandwiching the filter screen between itself and the wall of the housing through which the outlet tube passes and the function of cooperating with the housing in defining the groove which captures one of the two O-ring seals. The invention offers meaningful improvements in both manufacturing and cost.

Abstract: A fuel pressure regulator valve comprises a housing constructed from plural metal stampings and containing a diaphragm assembly which divides the housing into a control chamber and a fuel chamber. The housing is shaped to contain integral grooves for O-ring seals so that the O-rings stay on the valve when it is removed from its mounting socket in a fuel rail. Two of the stampings partially define the fuel chamber and are joined by means of a crimp formed in one. The other of the two has a hardness greater than that of the one to facilitate its press-fit engagement with the valve seat tube. The crimp is below the upper O-ring seal so that the crimp provides an entirely satisfactory joint. Each O-ring is located within its groove with the aid of a spacer also disposed in the groove.